It is ideologically written in the human DNA to deviate from problems, conflict, chaos and anything we might find challenging to us. That is not all, we even sometimes establish a form of comfort in our safe zone simply because we understand the workings and how things are done.
But this human condition limits us to the possibilities out there. It is very easy to quit and simply say I can't do this anymore or flake at the first sight of difficulty that we ain't prepared for. This is because it doesn't require a lot from you to open your mouth after settling with our mind, to say those three words:
I give up
And when it comes to comes to pushing a bit further, just a little bit long, now that's where the true hard work and discipline comes into play. Only a few number of people can do this out of the multitude of people, which is why popular expression makes more sense,
Many are called, but few are chosen.
These few in today's world have even be described as disruptors, innovators and other kinds of words, because they chose to still perceive despite the obstacle right in front of them.
A good example is Steve Jobs who decided to do the impossible when he embarked on the journey of creating the iPhone. First of its kind, yet to be seen and filled with promises.
Obviously there were various obstacles he encountered, is it when there was problem with the engineering or is it when some of the people said something of such magnitude cannot be accomplished within the timeframe Jobs gave.
Despite these setbacks and challenges, Jobs kept going, not withstanding or listening to the naysayers around and today he is considered the father of digitalization, thanks to his perseverance and not quitting attitude.
This speaks about the character innovators and people set on mission should portray. When listening to the it cannot work or it cannot be achieved speech, look for a work around that still achieve your goal. Don't completely shut off what the naysayers have to say, instead use them as your backdrop for what you what to achieve and the obstacle you must overcome.
All these about not quitting is the predominant lesson in Ryan Holiday's book, the obstacle is the way. He uses his book as a tool to teach perseverance and how to be consistent through the three underlying disciplines, perception, action and will. Perception, your opinion or mental orientation, Action, the moves you make and Will,, your zeal to be consistent despite the challenge.
His teaching are explanatory but the icing on the cake are the stories he tells to help buttress his point. Like the story about the king who wanted to teach his entitled people the lesson about the obstacle being the way. So the king set a blockade along the way to the city. Then he watched close how people gave up after a few tries. Finally a peasant gave it a try and refused to quit despite the failed attempts he got until he solved the problem. Then there was a pot of gold for his perseverance.
This helped to teach a lesson to the people about not giving up when they face a challenge, for there a huge reward at the end of the obstacle.
The obstacle being the way can also be seen in chess when things get too complicated on the board and there is a piece that needs to be taken off because it's the obstacle. Then look for how to get rid of the obstacle, it might just be what's stopping you from winning the game.
Don't be swayed by the obstacle in your path; rather, be determined to find a workaround for it.